John Wyndhams book, The Chrysalids, shows a direct connection to the cold war. Written in 1955 at the time of the conflict between Americans and Russians, Wyndham clearly states his opinions and beliefs as to what could happen if we dont change our ways. Waknuk, a small town representing the remnants of a nuclear war, are so scared of not being the true image of God. Without knowing it, they are actually the ones destroying how God intended it to be. Wyndham himself is witnessing how evil the world is becoming through the arms race and build up of new more powerful weapons. His direct links to what happened in the cold war make us, the readers, believe he is writing this book as though predicting the future of our world.
As far as the town of Waknuk is concerned, there is no need to think about the future. All they care about is themselves and not having deviations or blasphemies. They persecute anyone who has something different then their beliefs of the true image of God. They completely depend on Nicholsons Book of Repentances and twisted versions of the bible to run their lives, without thinking of what they are actually doing, Once we allow things that we know are not right, theres no telling where it will end,(pg.37). The keyword in that quote is we. God would never want for them to be killing innocent people just because they are different. So in this case they were only thinking about themselves and their decision on right and wrong. Just as all of the characters in The Chrysalids, have a limited view of the future so did the Americans and Russians in the 1950's. They believed that by creating the most powerful nuclear weapons they could solve all the worlds problems. Never once did they stop to think about how much damage they would actually be doing and the lives they would be affecting. They actually thought by blowing another country to bits would solve their conflict. The main point that can be taken from both these situations, real and fictional, is that there will always be conflict, but its how we react to it and if we are open to change, People in our district had a very sharp eye for the odd, or unusual,(pg.5).
Perhaps this is another theme Wyndham is trying to get across. The characters in The Chrysalids needed a change just like the Americans and Russians were fighting for change. The title of the book also signifies changes need to take place. The word chrysalid could be related to a chrysalis which is the state in where butterflies and moths are before they turn to their full grown state. Everyone in the novel could be considered a chrysalis. David and the telepaths are stuck in a coccon, awaiting their chance to become butterflies or to finally feel accepted in the world without having to hide who they are. Since the cold war was more of a military build up, threats and spying, everyone involved could also be considered a chrysalis. Without actual physical fighting and outbreaks both countries were stuck. Noone could agree but everyone knew change needed to take place. Our society is exactly like that. We need to make a change as soon as possible. It is the only way to reach our full potential and start making the world a better place to live because if we dont it will just keep getting worse. We, today were represented by the old people, who were destroyed by a nuclear war.
The most important subject in this book is about the shortcomings of ourselves and our society. In this book it says that the old people (which are us) have come the an end by a nuclear war. That gives a person something to think about. You have to think about it because a nuclear war isn't as far away as you might think. And what will be the consequences? The difference between one an the other is also very important in this book. Specifically, there is a norm. If you do not resemble it, you are a blasphemie. You will be abandoned or even killed. Things like this happen al the time in the real world. The second World War is an example of it. A more recent example is that moslims are dangerous because what happened on septemer 11 last year. The book shows us that there may be more resemblence of one another than one might think. Dont judge untill you have seen it with your own eyes
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